West Ham finally active in the transfer market. Coufal and Soucek to play Champions League winner

West Ham fans have arrived, with a green dot marking activity appearing next to their club’s name on the transfer market just days before the deadline. The Europa League participant has listened to the voices of experts and is expanding its squad after all, bringing in stopper Kurt Zouma from Chelsea.

Newcastle and ambitious Leicester have been dealt with. After two rounds, they lead the Premier League with eight goals scored. Yet many people are not looking at David Moyes’ squad with much excitement.

The team will be facing tough battles on the European continent, not to mention the English cups, in addition to the Premier League in just a few weeks. And the Hammers, whose squad consists of about 24 players (including four goalkeepers), have not shown the slightest interest in expanding their ranks almost all summer.

That is, except for the arrival of the fourth goalkeeper in the group – Alphonse Areola on loan from PSG. That’s damned little considering the fact that the Hammers will play at least seven times two games a week in the fall.

But the Londoners decided at the last minute to start negotiations. Their first proper summer signing, although not yet officially confirmed, is recent Champions League winner and French stopper Kurt Zouma.

They are prepared to pay Chelsea around €30 million for him at the London stadium. According to the British media, the 26-year-old Lyon native has already undergone a medical on Thursday morning and the final touches are being completed before the official unveiling of the transfer.

Zouma thus bids farewell to the Blues fans after seven years in which he accumulated 151 starts and scored 10 goals in the blue jersey (a full half of them in the last season). He celebrated the English title with the team twice, and last year he even won the trophy.

He could start a new chapter this weekend, specifically on Saturday, when West Ham welcome Crystal Palace to their stadium. However, the player registration would have to be completed by Friday noon at the London Stadium.

And who will plug the hole in Chelsea’s ranks after Zouma’s departure? It should be a Frenchman again, namely 22-year-old Jules Koundé, currently playing at Sevilla. Likewise, Tuchel and co. are also planning to bring Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl to Stamford Bridge in the final days of the transfer window.

Sources: Fabrizio Romano, Sky Sports